Exiles remain unbeaten after trip to Jebel Ali Dragons

Dubai Exiles RFC returned to the top of the UAE Premiership with 3 wins out of 3 after a productive trip to Jebel Ali to play the Dragons saw the Men-in-Black head back to The Sevens with an 8 – 55 win in the UAE Premiership.

Carel Thomas provided quick ball all evening

Jaen Botes goes route one

The Dubai Exiles were on the scoreboard pretty quickly. Carel Thomas picked the ball up cleanly from the base of an Exiles‘ scrum in the Jebel Ali 22. Justin Walsh was the first to test the Dragons‘ defence, a few meters gained, Jaen Botes was next to plough into the Dragons‘ defence and from the ensuing ruck, Exiles‘ prop, Pieter Kilian, crashed over for the games first score. Converted by Justin Walsh.

Jordan Ainslie enjoyed his debut with a hat-trick

After 15 minutes of play it looked like there may be a game on the cards. The Jebel Ali Dragons had applied some pressure in the Exiles‘ half and a cheap penalty allowed the Dragons to get themselves on the scoreboard. 3 – 7 to Exiles.

The reply from visitors was swift. Wing Jaron Shelley looked like he had found himself a clean run to the try line, but a timely ankle tap brought the South African down in the Dragons‘ 22. A quick ruck, a ball out of the back and the Exiles had given themselves a two on one. With the Dragons‘ wing caught in two minds, Exiles‘ Number 8, Jaen Botes crossed for the Exiles‘ second try. 3 – 12.

Congratulations all-round

Jaen Botes eyes a target

The Exiles‘ third score was almost the length of the pitch. An Exiles‘ scrum on their own 22 drew a penalty. Carel Thomas‘s quick tap caught the Dragons‘ defence asleep a pass to centre Brad Owako and Exiles were up to the half way. Another quick pass from scrum half, Carel Thomas, moved the ball along to Michael Stubbs who split two defenders. The ball was again moved to the left and when it found it’s way to Exiles‘ newcomer, Jordan Ainslie, the former Bath Sevens winger evaded three would be tacklers and grabbed his first of 3 tries of the evening. Converted by Justin Walsh. 3 – 19.

Flanker Anthony Kapp is pretty quick!

Michael Stubbs enjoyed his evening’s work

It was one way traffic at this point. The Exiles had gained themselves a scrum almost in front of the posts in the Jebel Ali 22 after Jaen Botes had looked like he’d scored. The referee adjudging that he’d dropped the ball in the act of scoring. From the scrum, some hard and direct drives to the Dragons‘ line saw Pieter Kilian bulldoze his way over for his second try. 3 – 24.

Kenyan Brad Owako continues to be an absolute handful for any defence

The next score came from fleet footed fullback, Conor Kennedy, the Zimbabwean is quite deadly when he’s given a single defender to beat. A show and go, a step, and Conor was scoring the Exiles‘ fifth try of the evening. Converted. 3 – 31.

The Jebel Ali Dragons didn’t seem to have any answers. Their attacks were lateral and after a run from the Dragons‘ wing that lacked any forward motion a despairing pass found it’s way safely into the hands of Exiles‘ flanker, Anthony Kapp, who gleefully ran the 60 meters to score. Converted 3 – 38 at half time.

Stephen ‘Stavo’ Ferguson says something to himself

The second half was a less than entertaining affair. 10 minutes of penalties had resulted in Pieter Kilian being expelled to the sin bin for an infringement stopping the Dragons at the Exiles‘ try line. But even with only 14 men on the pitch the Exiles were next to score. An attacking lineout in the Dragons‘ 22, safely gathered by Gareth Bacon, and the ball was simply moved along the back line for Jordan Ainslie to grab his second in the opposite corner. 3 -43.

Jordan’s next score was almost immediate. The Dragons‘ restart was gathered in the Exiles‘ 22. Carel Thomas was quick to spread the ball to his left. An absolutely sublime behind the back pass from Conor Kennedy put Michael Stubbs into space, and when the centre passed the ball to Jordan Ainslie, it was all over bar the shouting, too much pace for the defence. 3 -48.

The try number nine aftermath

A little bit of WWE tactics

The final word was left to Exiles‘ lock, Stephen ‘Stavo’ Ferguson. The big Ulsterman had found himself in the right place at the right time. A pick up from a ruck and a quick look up to see nothing in front of him but green grass and some rugby posts. Converted. 8 – 55 to the Dubai Exiles. Final Score.

David Gairn organises the Exiles‘ defence

Tarek Mursal enjoyed his Premiership debut

JEBEL ALI DRAGONS v DUBAI EXILES RFC

UAE Premiership (29th October 2021)